Rail conversion module for road tractor

Abstract

A rail conversion module for a tractor allowing the tractor to be driven either on the ground or on railroad tracks wherein a hinged module frame fits under the tractor with front rail wheels on a frame front section being attached to the tractor and adapted to be raised for ground travel or lowered for rail travel and driven rear rail wheels on a frame rear section which by a hinge mounting can be raised for ground travel or lowered for rail travel.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. For use with an engine driven tractor having a chassis with a rear power take-off and a fluid power system and with respective pairs of coaxial front steering and rear driving ground wheels each spaced differently than rails of a railroad track, a rail conversion module mountable on the tractor chassis comprising 
       a) respective pairs of coaxial front and rear rail wheels spaced for rolling engagement on said tracks;  
       b) a module frame having hinged front and rear sections with the front rail wheels on the front section and the rear rail wheels on the rear section;  
       c) attachment means on the module frame for affixing the front section to the tractor chassis;  
       d) an articulated connector for placing the rear rail wheels in driving relation with the tractor power take-off;  
       e) lifting means on the module frame operable by the tractor fluid power system for raising and lowering the front rail wheels with respect to the frame front section; and  
       f) pivoting means on the module frame operable by the tractor fluid power system for turning the rear section so as to raise and lower the rear wheels with respect to the front section;  
       g) whereby upon driving the tractor over the module frame front section with the frame front section affixed to the tractor chassis and all rail wheels raised, the rear rail wheels are connected to the tractor power take-off and the lifting and pivoting means are connected to the tractor fluid power system, so that when the tractor is driven over the tracks the front and rear rail wheels can be lowered onto the tracks to raise the tractor permitting it to be driven along the rails.  
     
     
       2. A rail conversion module according to claim  1  which further includes locking means for securing the front and rear frame sections in position when the rear rail wheels are lowered onto the tracks. 
     
     
       3. A rail conversion module according to claim  2  wherein the locking means is a rigid bar hinged at one end to one of the front and rear frame sections and securable at the other end to the other of the front and rear frame sections. 
     
     
       4. A rail conversion module according to claim  1  wherein the lifting means comprises an arm pivoted to the front section of the frame with the front rail wheels on one end of the arm remote from the pivot, and at least one front piston and cylinder between the arm and frame front section for turning the arm and raising and lowering the front rail wheels. 
     
     
       5. A rail conversion module according to claim  1  wherein the pivoting means comprises at least one rear piston and cylinder between the rear and front sections of the module frame for turning the rear section and raising and lowering the rear rail wheels. 
     
     
       6. A rail conversion module according to claim  1  wherein the tractor road wheels of each pair thereof are spaced apart more than the railroad rails. 
     
     
       7. In combination with an engine driven tractor having a chassis with a rear power take-off and a hydraulic power system and with respective pairs of coaxial front steering and rear driving ground wheels each spaced wider than rails of a railroad track, a rail conversion module mounted on the tractor chassis comprising 
       a) respective pairs of coaxial front and rear rail wheels spaced for rolling engagement on said tracks;  
       b) a module frame having hinged front and rear sections with the front rail wheels on the front section and the rear rail wheels on the rear section;  
       c) attachment means on the module frame fixing the front section to the tractor chassis;  
       d) an articulated connector placing the rear rail wheels in driving relation with the tractor power take-off;  
       e) lifting means on the module frame operable by the tractor hydraulic power system for raising and lowering the front rail wheels with respect to the frame front section; and  
       f) pivoting means on the module frame operable by the tractor hydraulic power system for turning the rear section so as to raise and lower the rear rail wheels with respect to the front section;  
       g) whereby upon driving the tractor over the module frame front section with the frame front section affixed to the tractor chassis and all rail wheels raised, the rear rail wheels are connected to the tractor power take-off and the lifting and pivoting means are operatively connected to the tractor hydraulic power system, so that when the tractor is driven over the tracks the front and rear rail wheels can be lowered onto the tracks to raise the tractor permitting it to be driven along the rails.  
     
     
       8. A rail conversion module according to claim  7  which further includes locking means for securing the front and rear frame sections in position when the rear rail wheels are lowered onto the tracks. 
     
     
       9. A rail conversion module according to claim  7  wherein the lifting means comprises an arm pivoted to the front section of the frame with the front rail wheels on one end of the arm remote from the pivot, and at least one front piston and cylinder between the arm and frame front section for turning the arm and raising and lowering the front rail wheels. 
     
     
       10. A rail conversion module according to claim  7  wherein the pivoting means comprises at least one rear piston and cylinder between the rear and front sections of the module frame for turning the rear section and raising and lowering the rear rail wheels.